Giant Hogweed

European Fire Ant

Purple Loosestrife

An aggressive wetland invader that threatens plant and animal diversity learn more »

Orange Hawkweed

Also yellow, these invasive plants replace native vegetation along roadsides, and threaten areas not yet reforested learn more »

Japanese Knotweed

Grows aggressively through concrete, impacting roads and house foundations learn more »

Spotted Knapweed

A single plant spreads rapidly with up to 140,000 seeds per square metre learn more »

Scotch Broom

An evergreen shrub that invades rangelands, replaces forage plants, causes allergies in people, and is a serious competitor to conifer seedlings learn more »

B.C. grants $1.6 million to fight invasive plants

MFLNRO News Release, May 9, 2014: VICTORIA – The provincial government is providing over $1.6 million in new grants to control the spread of invasive plants, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The 29 grants are being given to local governments, regional invasive species committees and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. to assist their activities and support the objectives of the provincial Invasive Plant Program. This funding is in addition to the $809,000 already earmarked by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations for invasiveplant control and management in 2014-15.

Regional invasive species committees, the Invasive Species Council of B.C., local governments, provincial government ministries and stakeholders all work together to raise public awareness of invasive plants, survey and map invasive plant populations, and actively treat high-priority sites to control the spread of invasive plants.

Funding has also been granted to the Invasive Species Council of B.C. to assist with provincial collaboration, co-ordination and communication, development of best management practices, and expanded methods to increase awareness and reporting of invasive species. The Invasive Species Council of B.C. is based in Williams Lake.

Regional committees are non-profit societies that serve as forums for land managers and other stakeholders to co-ordinate invasive plant treatment activities and participate in outreach and educational opportunities. There are currently 13 regional invasive species committees in the province.

Invasive plants are species that have been introduced into British Columbia from other areas. They displace our native vegetation and can cause considerable economic and environmental damage, and some pose a health risk to people. Invasive plants may disrupt natural ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, increase soil erosion, alter soil chemistry and adversely affect commercial crops.

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Quotes:Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson –
“The provincial government actively contributes to the conservation of wildlife habitat and works hard to protect the interests of British Columbia’s ranching and agriculture industries. These grants will help local governments and regional organizations minimize the spread of harmful invasive plants.”

Barry Gibbs, chair, Invasive Species Council of British Columbia –
“Invasive species impact British Columbia’s communities in many ways. Whether it’s the cost to our agriculture industry or a loss of natural biodiversity, invasive species are a concern. The support provided by the ministry is vital to the efforts of our council and our partners to prevent new introductions and respond to existing populations of invasive species. Since the majority of B.C. is Crown land, the government’s support is also critical for promoting collaborative action across administrative boundaries.”

Quick Facts:

The Invasive Plant Program identifies sites where invasive plant species have been found and responds rapidly to contain and eradicate them before they become established and start spreading.

Currently, some of the most intrusive plants in B.C. are marsh plume thistle, European common reed, garlic mustard, knotweed, and Spartina.